Russell's 'calmness and confidence' working well for Mercedes

Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin says George Russell has emerged as a calm, confident force in the team's post-Lewis Hamilton era, steadily guiding the Brackley squad both on and off the track.

Russell, who joined Mercedes from Williams in 2022, had already proven he could compete with a seven-time World Champion, now a Ferrari stalwart.

With rookie Kimi Antonelli stepping in as his teammate, Russell has seamlessly embraced the leadership mantle – something that hasn’t gone unnoticed within the team.

“Certainly within the team, he's very calm,” Shovlin told the media last weekend in Japan.

“He seems very confident. He's done a great job in the first [few] races, so that's been really encouraging."

Russell's start to the season has indeed been impressive, with podiums in both Australia and China. But beyond results, it’s his composed demeanor and strategic input that are drawing praise.

“He just seems to be very relaxed in his position in the team now and he's just going about getting the points, trying to qualify as well as he can.

"[A] front row in China was very encouraging. He's pushing us hard to improve and he's doing a lot of work himself,” Shovlin added.

Helping Guide Antonelli

With Mercedes juggling 2025 car development and looming 2026 rule changes, Russell’s experience is critical. Beyond his on-track contributions, the Briton is also mentoring Antonelli, sharing setup tips and handling key decisions during races.

“Those two are working together, and George is trying to give him the benefit of his experience," added Shovlin, praising the dynamic between Mercedes' drivers.

"I would say that George has stepped up into that role – being the team's most experienced driver now.”

In Melbourne, Russell’s real-time weather and car feedback shaped strategies for both drivers.

“You look at that race in Melbourne – George was communicating really well with us as to what the weather was doing and what he was feeling in the car.

"We were using a lot of that information to copy the strategy onto Kimi’s side because, for Kimi, a lot of it was new,” Shovlin explained.

A Team in Harmony

Russell’s maturity has undeniably fostered a collaborative spirit, insisted Shovlin.

“We always knew he was quick but, in his own approach, he has brought a confidence and a calmness this year that's working very well for us,” he said.

This synergy is paying dividends: Mercedes sits second in the Teams’ Championship, with Russell fourth and Antonelli fifth in the Drivers’ standings.

“It’s really pleasing to see how the two of them are working together, and how George has stepped up into that role,” concluded the Mercedes engineer.

As the season unfolds, Russell’s leadership is steering Mercedes toward success.

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